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The Department of Homeland Security has expressed strong criticism towards both the Biden administration and California Governor Gavin Newsom following the arrest of a Venezuelan national implicated in the horrific murder of a social worker at a San Francisco hospital.
The individual, Wilfredo Jose Tortolero-Arriechi, faces charges for the fatal stabbing of 51-year-old Alberto Rangel, which occurred on December 4 at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.
Reports indicate the violent incident took place in Ward 86 as Tortolero-Arriechi was being escorted out. Allegedly, he seized the opportunity to attack, grabbing Rangel and stabbing him multiple times in front of hospital employees.
Tragically, Rangel succumbed to his injuries two days later, on December 6.
On December 11, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a request to local authorities, urging them to keep the suspect in custody and prevent his release.
According to DHS, Border Patrol first encountered Tortolero-Arriechi in 2023 and he was later released into the country under the Biden administration.
In the weeks before the attack, Tortolero-Arriechi reportedly threatened his doctor and staff at the hospital.
Officials say he is now in the United States illegally.
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis blamed federal policy in a sharply worded statement, saying, “If it weren’t for the Biden administration’s reckless open-border policies, Alberto Rangel would still be alive.”
She called for stronger cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and criticized California sanctuary policies.
“We are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to commit to not releasing this murderer from jail. California’s sanctuary policies put American lives at risk. Criminal illegal aliens should not be released from jails back onto our streets to terrorize more innocent Americans. If we work together, we can make America safe again. 7 of the 10 safest cities in the US cooperate with ICE law enforcement.”
ICE Director Todd Lyons sent a separate letter in February to California Attorney General Rob Bonta urging compliance with federal detainers involving what he said were more than 33,000 criminal illegal aliens in California custody.
Tortolero-Arriechi is currently being held without bail at the San Francisco County Jail and faces charges of homicide and use of a deadly weapon.
He is scheduled to appear in court on June 16.
Rangel, a hospital social worker, is being remembered by loved ones as someone who “spent his life breaking down barriers and providing unwavering support to communities in need,” described as a man of empathy and service.
California border activity reached record highs during the Biden years with approximately 1.37 million apprehensions and over 100,000 “gotaways” between 2022 and 2024.
These numbers declined sharply by over 96% after President Trump took office in January 2025, bringing daily arrests down from over 1,200 to as few as 30.